Olympic bid logos: Tokyo

Of the four potential Olympic host cities, I would have to say that Tokyo’s logo might be the most disappointing. While I enjoy the incorporation of the rising sun into the logo, as well as the hairline-thin type style, the symbol of the knot is what is losing me.

I have found out that the knot is in fact a musubi, a traditional Japanese symbol for blessings during times of celebration. While this is all well and good, the symbol doesn’t seem worldly enough to appeal to a wide-range of viewers.

On the other hand, it has taught me a little about a Japanese tradition, so maybe I am being too narrow-minded in my critique of it.

So what is better? To have a worldly-inclusive symbol, or one that highlights the culture of the host city?